Explain sample dresses to me, please

sbc2013

I am entertaining the thought of buying a sample dress (no particular dress in mind), but I'm clueless on a couple points (this is where you lovely knotties come in). First, are all of the gowns a store carries available to be purchased as samples? Or do you typically have the dress in mind and ask if the store is willing to sell the sample when making an appointment? Also, is there a "typical" reduction percentage for these gowns? Anyone out there who did this and can offer their experience?

Thank you so much for your help!

QueerFemme

It depends.  Usually, a store will have a "sample sale"  where they sell samples once or twice a year.  Some stores, 3-4 times a year.  They usually sell the samples of gowns that are a few seasons old, or are being discontinued.

Some stores (especially David's Bridal) will pretty much let you buy anything you want off the rack.  Because they know they can get another sample in very quickly.

Other stores won't sell you their sample.  Especially if it is a popular gown.  They don't want to lose their sample and miss out on a dozen brides trying on and buying the dress in the time it takes them to get another sample in.  If you want to buy off the rack, you can ask the salon "please only show me dresses that I can buy off the rack."

As far as pricing goes... if they aren't currently having a sample sale, and you just ask to buy their sample off the rack, you might get 10-30% off of the original purchase price.  If they are having a sample sale, you could get as much as 50-70% off. 

Also, depending on your size, you may or may not be able to find a sample in the size you need.  In my experience, the majority of the sample dresses are a 10-12.  Whick would likely be a 4-8 street size.  If you are far off that size in either direction, the alterations costs would likely cost you more than the savings you will get from buying the sample. 

saacjw

Some stores have "clearance" racks of sample dresses that are discontinud styles. That's how I found my dress. My dress was 60% off. I'm about an 8 street size and the dress fit me perfectly (except for height, I'm short), but you should remember that they tend to be a bit streached out from being tried on. Also, make sure you go through it really closely- look for stains and snags that can't be fixed. 

sbc2013

Ok, that makes sense. I will more than likely need to make a sample dress smaller, but I would have an outside seamstress come in and tell me if it's even a possibility. I was thinking of going in with, "I'm OK with spending X amount of money, but if there is a dress above my price range that you are willing to sell as a sample and will be in my price range with the sample discount, please bring that too." I'm thinking I might as well see those, too? Hopefully that doesn't bite me in the ass. Thank you for your help! 

gailpete

Be sure to keep in mind that alterations on wedding dresses can be expensive.  If the dress is a close fit, you can likely save a fair amount of money.  However, if it needs to be taken in several sizes and has elaborate detail, you may end up spending more buying the sample and altering it than you would have spent buying a brand new gown in the correct size.

QueerFemme

In Response to Re:Explain sample dresses to me, please:[QUOTE]Ok, that makes sense. I will more than likely need to make a sample dress smaller, but I would have an outside seamstress come in and tell me if it's even a possibility. I was thinking of going in with, "I'm OK with spending X amount of money, but if there is a dress above my price range that you are willing to sell as a sample and will be in my price range with the sample discount, please bring that too." I'm thinking I might as well see those, too? Hopefully that doesn't bite me in the ass. Thank you for your help!nbsp; Posted by sbc2013[/QUOTE]


Unless the salon has a rack of sale dresses, you probably won't end up seeing a whole lot of samples that they are just going to say "take this one for 20 off. " you are likely going to have to either find a salon with a sale rack or just find a dress you love and ask what kind of deal they will give you if you buy the sample.

Also, if the dress has to be taken in more than 2 sizes, you risk losing the structure of the dress.

furmur12

When i found "THE dress"  it just happened to fit me perfectly. they offered it to me at 20% off to take that actual sample dress. i couldn't say no!!

mabapunta

This is very helpful ladies! I was about to order my dress on Sunday, but called around and found one store has the sample I tried on for sale at a little under 50% off! So this gives me things to look at and consider before I decide. Thank you!